Daily Archives: 11 July 2024

Airplane Noise: A Potential Contributor to Chronic Disease Risk

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A recent study has uncovered a correlation between increased exposure to aircraft noise and higher body mass index (BMI), serving as an indicator for obesity and a precursor to conditions such as stroke and hypertension. This research underscores the profound impact of environmental factors, including inequalities in exposure, on health outcomes. Studies consistently show that noise from aircraft and helicopters is more bothersome than noise from other forms of transportation, with mounting evidence suggesting significant contributions to adverse health effects.

The study conducted jointly by the Boston University School of Public Health and Oregon State University reveals that individuals exposed to aircraft noise levels exceeding 45 dB were more likely to report higher BMIs, with the association particularly pronounced at 55 dB or higher noise levels. To put this in context, normal conversation at home registers around 50 dB, highlighting the relatively modest threshold at which aircraft noise begins to impact health. BMI, a widely accepted measure of obesity, is not just a matter of aesthetic concern but a crucial marker for various cardiometabolic diseases.

Published in Environment International, the study marks the first national-level investigation into the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and obesity in the United States, expanding on previous studies primarily focused on European populations. Dr. Matthew Bozigar, the lead researcher and assistant professor of epidemiology at OSU, noted the unexpected strength of the correlation, particularly among women across the US. The study draws on Nurses’ Health Studies data, encompassing nearly 75,000 participants residing near 90 major US airports over 15 years.

The findings underscore the multifaceted impact of environmental factors on health outcomes, highlighting obesity as a condition influenced not just by individual lifestyle choices but also by broader environmental exposures. Dr. Bozigar stressed the potential for policy interventions aimed at mitigating these environmental drivers of obesity, offering hope for a healthier future. Examining regional differences in the study, researchers noted stronger associations between aircraft noise and BMI among participants on the West Coast and in arid climates.

Factors such as building design, climate conditions affecting window opening behaviours, and insulation levels were considered potential contributors to these variations. Dr Junenette Peters, the senior author and associate professor of environmental health at BUSPH, emphasised the need for further research into these regional disparities and their implications for public health policies. She highlighted the disproportionate exposure to aircraft noise among Black, Hispanic, and low-income populations, suggesting a need for targeted interventions to address environmental injustices in noise exposure.

The study utilised a day-night noise level estimate (DNL) to quantify aircraft noise exposure, applying a 10 dB adjustment for night-time noise due to lower background noise levels. While acknowledging BMI’s limitations as a metric, the researchers found a robust and independent association between higher aircraft noise exposure and increased BMI. Looking ahead, the importance of further research to delve deeper into understanding the mechanisms through which aircraft noise influences obesity and related health outcomes cannot be overstated.

This includes investigating broader inequities in noise exposure across different demographic groups and geographical regions. Dr. Bozigar stressed the urgency of addressing these environmental injustices in transportation noise exposure alongside other drivers of poor health outcomes. In conclusion, the study contributes valuable evidence to the growing body of literature linking environmental noise, particularly from aircraft, to adverse health effects. By elucidating these connections, researchers hope to inform policies that can mitigate the health impacts of noise pollution and promote healthier environments for all individuals.

More information: Matthew Bozigar et al, Aircraft noise exposure and body mass index among female participants in two Nurses’ Health Study prospective cohorts living around 90 airports in the United States, Environment International. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108660

Journal information: Environment International Provided by Boston University School of Public Health

Embracing Snakes: Exploring a High-Protein Superfood

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Research conducted by Honorary Research Fellow Dr Daniel Natusch from Macquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with scientists from several international institutions, sheds light on the remarkable efficiency of python farming in Southeast Asia. The study, published in Scientific Reports, compares the growth and protein conversion rates of reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) and Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) on commercial farms in Thailand and Vietnam.

Unlike conventional livestock such as chickens and cattle, pythons demonstrate superior feed-to-weight conversion ratios, reaching slaughter weight within their first year after hatching. According to Dr Natusch, snake meat is white and high in protein. It offers a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock in regions grappling with food insecurity exacerbated by climate change and resource depletion.

The study highlights how python farming requires minimal water and food input compared to conventional livestock, making it a viable option in areas facing agricultural challenges. Dr Natusch emphasises that while snake meat is already a staple in diets across Southeast Asia and China, mainstream agricultural research has primarily overlooked its potential.

Professor Rick Shine, co-author from Macquarie University, underscores the economic benefits and environmental advantages of python farming over traditional livestock farming. Snake farms, typically large barns with optimal basking conditions, sidestep many animal welfare concerns associated with caged mammals and birds. Cold-blooded reptiles like pythons are extraordinarily efficient at converting food into body tissue, far outpacing warm-blooded creatures in energy efficiency.

The research team’s experiments with feeding pythons various protein sources, including agricultural waste and vegetable proteins hidden within meat-based sausages, revealed a surprising adaptability. Pythons can digest soy and other plant proteins, demonstrating their ability to thrive on a diverse diet without compromising growth rates or welfare. This flexibility not only enhances food production efficiency but also significantly reduces waste generation, offering hope for a more sustainable future.

From an environmental perspective, python farming is a step in the right direction. Pythons produce fewer greenhouse gases and minimal water and solid waste than traditional livestock, making them an environmentally sustainable choice. Moreover, their ability to utilise agricultural by-products effectively further reduces waste generation, offering a promising solution to the environmental pressures associated with conventional agriculture.

Despite these benefits, the researchers acknowledge that python farming may face cultural and regulatory challenges outside regions where snake meat is culturally accepted. Professor Shine notes that while python farming presents significant opportunities in countries with a historical precedent for consuming snake meat, its adoption in regions like Australia or Europe may need to be faster due to cultural barriers.

The study underscores the potential of python farming as a sustainable solution to global food insecurity and environmental pressures associated with conventional agriculture. By highlighting the efficiency and versatility of pythons in converting waste into valuable products, the research advocates for further exploration and integration of snake farming practices into global agricultural strategies, particularly in regions where alternative food sources are urgently needed.

More information: D. Natusch et al, Python farming as a flexible and efficient form of agricultural food security, Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54874-4

Journal information: Scientific Reports Provided by Macquarie University

Canadian Sea Buckthorn Berries: A Potential Antioxidant Superfood for Managing Diabetes and Obesity

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A study featured in SCI’s Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture sheds light on the potential of sea buckthorn shrubs as a significant source of natural antioxidants in North America. Conducted by researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland, led by Professor Fereidoon Shahidi, the research highlights the nutritional profile of Canadian-grown sea buckthorn berries and their commercial promise as a bioactive superfood.

Sea buckthorn, a thorny deciduous shrub native to northwestern Europe and parts of central Asia, is renowned for its nutritional, pharmaceutical, and functional properties. Its berries and leaves are widely used, and sea buckthorn oil is particularly rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins E, B, and A, and polyphenols.

Introduced to Canada in the early 2000s after governmental research recognised its commercial potential, sea buckthorn has garnered interest for its unique qualities. Renan Danielski, a PhD student at the University of Newfoundland and a study author, underscores the distinctiveness of sea buckthorn, stating, “Sea buckthorn is a crop with unique qualities and vast potential. Its popularity in Asia and Europe presents an opportunity to replicate this success in North America by leveraging locally grown varieties.”

Motivated by the experimental status and limited commercialisation of sea buckthorn in North America, the researchers aimed to characterise the polyphenolic composition of Canadian cultivars. “Understanding how our cultivar compares globally can help convey its benefits to consumers and establish a market presence,” notes Professor Shahidi, corresponding author of the study.

The study reveals significant concentrations of key polyphenolic compounds in sea buckthorn pomace and seeds, offering potential health benefits such as cardiovascular protection and anti-inflammatory properties. The influence of geographical factors on the polyphenolic profile is significant, with distinct bioactive compounds identified exclusively in Newfoundland-grown sea buckthorn cultivars.

Furthermore, extracts from sea buckthorn showed promising in vitro antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties, prompting further investigation into their mechanisms and therapeutic applications. “This marks an initial step in understanding how sea buckthorn polyphenols can positively influence our physiology,” explains Danielski. “Future research should delve into the underlying mechanisms and expand studies to include animal models and human trials. If confirmed in vivo, sea buckthorn polyphenols could potentially serve therapeutic and pharmacological purposes, aiding in the management of diabetes, obesity, and other conditions.”

The study underscores the potential of Canadian sea buckthorn berries as a valuable source of natural antioxidants in North America. As consumer interest in functional foods and nutraceuticals grows, sea buckthorn emerges as a sustainable option for enhancing health and well-being.

More information: Renan Danielski et al, Phenolic composition and bioactivities of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) fruit and seeds: an unconventional source of natural antioxidants in North America, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13386

Journal information: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Provided by Society of Chemical Industry

Exercise’s Role in Preserving Cognitive Function in Hypertensive Patients at Risk

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People with high blood pressure face an increased risk of cognitive impairment, including dementia. However, a recent study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine indicates that engaging in vigorous physical activity more than once a week can reduce this risk. The findings, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, highlight the role of exercise in mitigating cognitive decline.

Richard Kazibwe, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead author of the study, emphasised the multifaceted benefits of physical exercise, such as lowering blood pressure, enhancing heart health, and potentially delaying cognitive decline. Despite these known benefits, the precise amount and intensity of exercise required to preserve cognition still need to be determined.

The study builds upon previous research, including the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) conducted in 2015. This landmark trial demonstrated that intensive blood pressure management reduced cardiovascular disease and mortality rates among participants aged 50 and older with hypertension. The trial’s findings prompted significant changes in blood pressure management guidelines.

Subsequently, the SPRINT MIND trial 2019, led by Wake Forest University School of Medicine, revealed that intensive blood pressure control also reduced the risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Building on these insights, Kazibwe and his team conducted a secondary analysis focusing on the impact of vigorous physical activity on cognitive health.

Their findings suggest a notable benefit: individuals who engaged in vigorous physical activity at least once a week reported lower rates of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. This association was robust among participants under the age of 75. Encouragingly, nearly 60% of study participants, including older adults aged 75 and above, reported engaging in vigorous physical activity.

Dr. Kazibwe highlighted the positive trend of older adults recognising the importance of exercise and maintaining higher physical activity intensity levels. However, he also acknowledged the need for further research, including using device-based physical activity measurements and a more diverse participant pool.

While this study provides compelling evidence that regular vigorous exercise may help preserve cognitive function in individuals at high risk of hypertension-related cognitive decline, ongoing research is crucial to fully understand and optimise the role of physical activity in cognitive health maintenance.

More information: Richard Kazibwe et al, Effect of vigorous-intensity physical activity on incident cognitive impairment in high-risk hypertension, Alzheimer’s & Dementia. DOI: 10.1002/alz.13887

Journal information: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Provided by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist